Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at Rockwell Global Capital, said earnings have so far been solid enough to steady the market.

Of the firms in the S&P 500, 159 report earnings this week, making it the busiest week of the quarter, Goldman Sachs said in a note.

LONDON - European markets were closed for the Easter holiday.

The main markets closed their last trading sessions, on Thursday, April 17, higher.

London's FTSE 100 closed up 41.08, or 0.62 per cent, at 6,625.25. In Paris, the CAC 40 gained 26.15 points or 0.59 per cent, to 4,431.81, while Germany's DAX put on 91.39 points, or 0.99 per cent, to 9,409.71

Chinese shares slipped on fears over the economy as well as liquidity, after authorities unveiled a list of 28 firms that have filed for initial public offerings (IPOs).

Tokyo finished flat, giving up 3.89 points to 14,512.38, Seoul was down 0.25 per cent, or 5.06 points, at 1,999.22, while Taipei ended 0.17 per cent, or 15.47 points, lower at 8,951.19. Shanghai tumbled 1.52 per cent, or 31.92 points, to 2,065.83.

Singapore was flat in afternoon trade.

Hong Kong, Sydney and Wellington were closed for the Easter holidays.

WELLINGTON - The NZX 50 Index rose 12.799 points, or about 0.3 per cent, to 5103.348 on Friday.